First Full Day

post by Daryl Fitzgibbons::

This afternoon was a time of sharing, playing, and love for Daryl, Corky, and Anne. 

We visited Daryl's sponsored child, Ruby, and her family. 

It was heart-warming to see them in good health, living in their new home built this year. 

We spent time discussing how the family is doing and what their needs are now. 

We enjoyed watching Ruby and her brother engage with toys we brought to them. 

They are a joy to be around! 

It was difficult to say "goodbye," but, hopefully, we will be together again soon.

Hello, Matthew speaking (no one else wanted to volunteer to write this. surprising, I know. Considering they were happily willing to volunteer a whole week of their summer to work in an exotic country. Can someone say double standards?) 

[our full team gathering in front of the building we worked on last year]

Today is Saturday, our first full day in Nicaragua as a team. We ate a fantastic breakfast this morning. The bases were loaded with rice, beans, toast, and sweet plantains. all the staples. One of our team mates, Daryl Fitzgibbons, gave our devotional. Today her message was to do onto others as you would want done onto you. After breakfast we drove to the AMC office.  AMC stands for “Accion Medica Cristiana” which is the non profit organization we are partnering with this week. AMC does so much good for Nicaragua.  And this year, God bless, are celebrating their 30^th anniversary. While there, we were educated on this countries history. What I found most interesting was how much of a relationship the US has had with Nicaragua in the past. Most of which I had no knowledge of.  

  

[Dr. Francisco Gutierrez]

By the end, Pastor Alex made a joke saying “we all now have a minor in Nicaraguan studies”.

After history class, we took a break for coffee and cookies. I stole all the chocolate ones, but can you blame a guy? 

[Model of Social Determinants of Health]

[this is the training and lodging center we worked on last year]

Once we all gathered back together, the AMC director of organization and development Dr. Francisco Gutierrez (shout out) gave a wonderful power point presentation about the work that AMC is doing. He talked about what their work ethic is, and also, what our role for this week will be.  We had lunch and then spent the day sightseeing. 

[view of the downtown Managua from Parque Loma de Tiscapa]

This country is truly beautiful. At this one location we stopped at, there were miniature model replicas of many of the historic buildings from here in Managua. One of our Team members, Steve Kolitz, pretended to be Godzilla. Felt like we really bonded as a team today. We shared many laughs, and many thoughts. a man on the plane ride here said to me “the only thing bigger than a Nicaraguan’s smile, is their heart.” I think we all saw that today. 

[Crater Tiscapa Lagoon. Fresh water lagoon in the crater view from Parque Loma de Tiscapa]

They treated us with respect and as they would want to be treated. We are not bringing God to Nicaragua. God is already present.  We are merely illuminating that flame even farther. Stay well, be easy, spread the love.  Matt LaFlamme

[Loma de Tiscapa used to be the site of the presidential palace and the headquarters of the National Guard in the Somoza era (until they were destroyed in the earthquake of 1972); political prisoners were tortured in a prison close by.]